31 Spookily Scrumptious Vegan Halloween Candies and Treats

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Whether you’re back to trick-or-treating in person or staying in to celebrate the spookiest day of the year, sweets and treats are a Halloween staple. 

But reading the back of all those candy labels to see what’s vegan and plant-based can take a while. (I know, because in the Target candy aisle my 4-year-old whined, “Mommy, you’re taking forever!”)

So let me save you some time.

Grab your extra-large Jack-o-lantern or candy cauldron bucket because after reading this list, it’ll be overflowing with dairy-free chocolate, gelatin-free goodies, and savory snacks!

But first, let’s be clear on what makes candy vegan.

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What is Vegan Candy?

Vegans avoid the cruelty and exploitation of animals, as well as all animal products: meat and fish, dairy, eggs, honey, and gelatin. 

While avoiding meat, fish, and eggs is more obvious; ingredients like dairy, gelatin, honey, and confectioner’s glaze are trickier. 

Here’s why vegans avoid these ingredients and where they pop up in candy:

• Dairy – When dairy is listed on the box, milk from an animal was used in the product. Unfortunately, the majority of chocolate candy contains dairy. 
• Gelatin – Gelatin is made by boiling animal skin, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bones. It’s an ingredient in marshmallows and chewy and gummy candies.
• Honey – Vegans avoid honey because harvesting it sacrifices bees’ health. Honey is often found in snacks like graham crackers.
• Confectioner’s Glaze – Shellac, also called confectioner’s glaze, is the resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees. It’s used to create a shiny, smooth candy coating.

Strict vegans may also avoid ingredients like refined sugar because it’s processed with bone char to create a white color. Palm oil is another controversial ingredient, not because it comes from an animal, but attaining it causes devastation to the environment and harm to animals. 

Some food colorings are tested on animals or contain carmine (which originates from an insect). And products that state something like “processed on equipment that also produces dairy” on the box may also be a no-no for strict vegans.

For the purpose of this post, if it doesn’t contain animal or insect products, it’s vegan. But, I wanted to highlight these in case they appear on any ingredients list.

Alright! Now that you know what candy is vegan, let’s dig in!

Here are 31 spookily scrumptious vegan Halloween candies and treats that my kids love! (Separated by type in case you prefer one kind over another!)

Vegan Hard Candy

If you like to crunch, lick or suck your candy, these are for you!

1. Jolly Ranchers

Are Jolly Ranchers vegan? Heck yes! These sweet, hard lollipops and small candies are perfect for trick-or-treaters and pretty easy to find.

2. Smarties

Smarties were one of my favorites as a kid. So when we went vegan, I was pumped they made the vegan Halloween candy list!

3. Pez

These classic candies put a new twist on every holiday with their fun and playful containers. My kids love walking around with their latest PEZ dispenser.

4. Dum Dums

Thank goodness this staple (that originated in 1924!) is vegan. With 16 flavors, plus the beloved mystery flavor, these are always a crowd-pleaser.

5. Blow Pops

Who doesn’t love two vegan Halloween treats in one? Get through the candy shell and find the fun isn’t over with the bubble gum surprise in the middle!

6. Ring Pops

The perfect glam addition to any costume, this candy jewel is vegan! And my kids love ‘em. Especially the multi-colored ones!

7. Fun Dip

This long-loved treat is an activity. And thankfully, it’s vegan. The stick and the flavored powder inside the little pouch are gelatin- and carmine-free.

8. Original SweeTarts

This one is tricky. The Original SweeTarts are vegan. But the ropes, chews, and other varieties are not. They contain gelatin and confectioner’s glaze.

9. YumEarth Lollipops

What I love about these lollipops is that they say “vegan” on the packaging! These top-8-allergen-free suckers are perfect for class parties, after-game snacks, and trick-or-treating!

Vegan Chewy Candy

Let’s keep our list going with chewy and gummy candies. So many of the ones on the shelves contain gelatin. But these ones don’t!

10. Skittles

Taste the rainbow… and not the animals! As the second most popular candy in America, these are easy vegan Halloween candies to come by! You can find them at almost any store.

11. YumEarth Giggles and Fruit Snacks

Organic, gelatin-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, and… vegan! The Giggles are similar in shape and texture to Skittles. Both of these tasty treats are free from 8 of the top allergens.

12. Twizzlers

Are Twizzlers vegan? Thankfully for my husband, they are! Since they don’t contain gelatin, you’ll see these babies on many vegan candy lists.

13. Sour Patch Kids

These silly and sour sweets are a fun addition to any Halloween bucket. And since gelatin isn’t on the ingredients list, they’re also vegan!

14. Annie’s Fruit Snacks

Since before our kids switched to a plant-based diet, Annie’s organic goodies have graced our pantry shelves. We love that these fruit snacks are organic and vegan!

15. Fruit by the Foot

I was pleasantly surprised to see this fun and playful hit from my childhood was vegan. My kids enjoy the bright colors and novel design of rolling up their dessert.

16. Fruit Roll-Ups

Although there’s some debate on this one due to the inclusion of palm oil, there are no animal products in these vegan Halloween treats, so many of us consider them vegan.

17. Airheads

Are Airheads vegan? You betcha! These beloved taffy-like tangy, chewy candies are free from gelatin and any other animal products, making them a fun, vegan Halloween treat.

18. Swedish Fish

Most Swedish Fish are vegan. However, some claim to have seen packages that contain beeswax. So check the ingredients list just in case. 

19. Fruit Gushers 

More commonly referred to as “Gushers,” the fruit juice center of these babies make an impression. I still remember when they came out in the 90s! 

20. Dots

Another long-time favorite, having been around since 1945, “America’s #1 selling gumdrop” is perfect for gingerbread house decor and a vegan Halloween candy bucket!

Vegan Chocolate Candy 

I assumed that when you go vegan you have to give up sweets like chocolate because it contains milk. Well, thank goodness for (1) dark chocolate, which is often made without cow’s milk, and (2) all of the companies working hard to create vegan chocolate candy for connoisseurs like me!

21. Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Any Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup fans here? Well, Justin’s makes a stellar vegan option. I buy these at Target in mini and full-sized versions.

22. Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars

When I was missing Almond Joy and Mounds, I stumbled upon Unreal (at Costco!). They’re individually wrapped, too! Perfect for trick-or-treaters!

23. Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems

I couldn’t make this list without a vegan M&Ms option. But that being said, while this Unreal candy is vegan, their similar option, the Milk Chocolate Gems, is not. And it’s hard to find these in small bags for trick-or-treaters.

24. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups

I realize if you don’t have Trader Joe’s near you, this one will be hard to find. But, like Justin’s, this is an excellent replacement for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!

25. Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate and Ricemilk Bars

We use this vegan Hershey’s bar replacement in our S’mores when we barbecue or camp. Aaaand, sometimes you can find the individually wrapped Halloween minis!

26. No Whey Chocolate

There are so many vegan candy options on No Whey Food’s site. From chocolate pretzels to chocolate lollipops, there’s something for everyone.

27. Ocho Organic Dark Peanut Butter Bar or Minis

Although not all Ocho candies are vegan, the Coconut and Peanut Butter Bar are. And while the bar is nice, the minis are great for Halloween.

Vegan Halloween Treats

Tired of candy? Looking for something more unique? These vegan goodies are still fun and festive. (And some of them are a little more healthy!)

28. Garden Veggie Chips Ghosts and Bats

Vegan Halloween treats don’t have to be sweet. These savory and spooky bats and ghosts come in small bags perfect for the plastic Jack-o-lantern bucket, festive after-school snacks, or fall vegan lunches. 

29. Halloween Shaped Pretzels

Always a staple at our house come October, these mini pretzel bags are a hit with the kids. They snack on them all month long, but we’ve also received them in our trick-or-treat bags.

30. Mini Oreos

One of the most common “accidentally vegan” desserts, Oreos (and mini Oreos), is vegan. Believe it or not, that creamy center doesn’t contain milk! And the mini Oreos come in small bags, making them easy to pass out on October 31st.

31. Made Good Soft Baked Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you want to spread the love with baked goods instead of candy, these mini cookies are organic, nut-free, low in sugar, whole grain, and allergy-friendly—so they’re safe for anyone with allergies (and vegans)!

Where Can I Find Vegan Halloween Candy?

When we transitioned to a plant-based diet, we all freaked out a bit about where we’d find our favorites, whether it be fast food, holiday cookies, or candy. 

We were pumped to find most of the vegan Halloween candies and treats above at our local Target, Ralphs, Trader Joe’s, and health food shop. But, they’re also online and on Amazon.

In Conclusion, There Are more Vegan Halloween Candies than Ever

With the popularity of veganism on the rise and growing numbers of food allergies, finding vegan Halloween candy is easier than it’s ever been. 

You know what to look for. You know where to get it. 

Now you just have to choose what you want to sink your teeth into first! Let me know your favorite in the comments below! 👇👇👇